Polyurethanes (PUs), a versatile class of polymers, commonly appear as rigid or flexible foams for widespread applications in transportation, automotive, and consumer industries. The attributes that make PU foams desirable, namely their low density and durability, pose inherent issues in their end-of-life processing. In order to mitigate the widespread practice of incinerating or landfilling these thermoset foams, we present the synthesis of a sustainable PU foam that can be chemically recycled. Poly(𝛾-methyl-𝜺-caprolactone)-based foams can undergo a straightforward depolymerization process to afford the starting monomer in high purity and yield. We also demonstrate that these foams can be synthesized to exhibit a range of mechanical properties. By adjusting the isocyanate index and surfactants in the formulations, we create an array of foams with different compressive strengths, cell morphologies, and densities. PU foams from poly(𝛾-methyl-𝜺-caprolactone) thus present a robust and sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based PUs.
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